Author Identifier (ORCID)
Obed Adonteng-Kissi: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9324-7138
Abstract
Summary: This research aims to address formal support needs of informal caregivers (ICs) in the context of long-term care of older people (OP) living with chronic life-limiting illnesses and examine the relationships of ICs of OP with formal support in rural Ghana. We undertook ethnographic interviews with 15 OP; 15 ICs; and 10 healthcare professionals (HPs) after participatory observations during 6 months of fieldwork. This was supported with daily field notes used to collect the needed data and purposively sampled across Gomoa West District in Ghana. The average age of participants was 76 years. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, using a thematic analysis procedure as the data analysis approach. Findings: OP living with chronic life-limiting illnesses and their ICs identify and endorse information and education and skill training in planning and coordination as enablers of ICs to manage such OP's care. Meeting ICs’ educational needs such as health literacy, family conferencing and encouragement from HPs made information and education effective for ICs. Planning and coordinating care activities offer sufficient coverage for OP, provide follow-up support, and help caregivers to meet their multiple responsibilities which are sociocultural in nature. Applications: In line with the empowerment approach, social workers and HPs need to be aware of their roles to empower and support caregivers. They need to build on caregivers’ strengths, negotiate common ground with caregivers, encourage caregivers to express themselves in their own language, and support caregivers to focus on social change.
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
1-1-2025
Publication Title
Journal of Social Work
Publisher
Sage
School
School of Arts and Humanities
RAS ID
82705
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
Adonteng-Kissi, B., & Adonteng-Kissi, O. (2025). Support for older people living with chronic life-limiting illnesses in rural Ghana. Journal of Social Work. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/14680173251357086